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The pain of Compassio: Mary's labor at the foot of the cross.

From: The Art Bulletin  |  Date: 6/1/1998  |  Author: Neff, Amy

The Virgin Mary's Swoon at the Crucifixion has been recognized as a visualization of the doctrine of compassio: Mary shares Christ's suffering. She is thus able to help in Christ's work of redemption. Yet images and texts from the twelfth through the fourteenth centuries attest to another profound meaning of the Swoon. As Mary collapses, she is in labor. Images of the Swoon can be related to an antique iconography of childbirth and to birthing practice in contemporary society. As mother of the ...

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